According to local reports, the Nuance Group has opened the first of its newly-branded SYD duty free outlets at Sydney International Airport Terminal 1.In attendance at the ribbon cutting opening were Hon. Nick Greiner, Chairman

of The Nuance Group (Australia)and Russell Balding Ceo of Sydney Airport.
Russell Balding, Sydney Airport Corporation Ceo told local media earlier this month that he was ‘extremely excited’ by the introduction of the yellow motif SYD brand along with all of the improvements that go with it and he added that Nuance has put a great team in place for the operation.
The SYD brand will now gradually replace the once legendary Downtown Duty Free shopping brand that has been used by Nuance at Sydney Airport. This was originally used because the DDF off airport stores were so well known by so many customers throughout Australia. They also benefited from regular media advertising coverage.
But given the demise of the off-airport sector where DDF now operates only a handful of stores, the name has been seen as inappropriate by some for a retail operation at Sydney where the core activity is solidly airport-based.
A new service called 'Ready for Collection' is also being introduced which will allow passengers to pre-order goods prior to departure and pick them up for collection on their return to Australia. According to media reports today, Sydney Airport sold around 1.6m litres of liquor in 2006 and another 40,000 litres of perfume last year.
Nuance – which began a new eight-year contract last November – announced earlier this month that the new SYD brand represents ‘much more than a change in signage and a lick of paint’ and signals ‘a vast number of improvements’ that will make Australian duty free shopping the best value in the world.
Nuance says the change comes ahead of the March 31 Federal Government?s introduction of new rules for taking liquids, aerosols and gels through security onto international flights. Sydney Airport's arrivals shops and its Ready for Collection service will effectively ensure that Australian travellers – at least – will still be able to buy duty free goods at the airport.